Charles Lee

Today is World Water Day and our friends at charity: water are launching a new campaign for Haiti called Unshaken.  They’ve worked hard for the past couple of months figuring out how to best to use their strengths (i.e., the 100% giving-model, storytelling, transparency and proof of work) to continue helping the people of Haiti.

As most of you know, 1.3 million people were displaced from Port-au-Prince to the rural areas, and charity: water has selected 11 of those areas and committed to help at least 40,000 people there get clean water. They’ve got photos, stories, GPS and cost breakdowns for each area, and need to raise $1.3 million to fund them all.

charity: water has been funding safe water and sanitation projects in Haiti for two years now, working with local implanting partners Concern Worldwide and Partners In Health. Both partners have more than two decades of experience working on the ground in Haiti.

As stated during charity’s recent press release…

UNSHAKEN tells the stories of eleven areas that have swelled with those displaced since the earthquake and now need long-term water solutions more than ever. From eight-year-old Louis Mackenzie in Kenpech, who relies on a dwindling bottled water supply, to 17-year-old Kiesha Michele, who slept on the streets after her home was destroyed and now lives on an island with only stagnant ponds and unprotected springs – these stories are the basis of the UNSHAKEN campaign. Beginning Monday, each region’s story, complete with photos and GPS coordinates, will be published on the UNSHAKEN campaign site. In the coming months, charity: water plans to raise $1.3 million to serve more than 40,000 people in these areas with clean, safe drinking water. 100% of the funds raised will directly fund water projects on the ground.

UNSHAKEN has drawn immense support before officially launching. The non-profit Invisible Children donated the first $100,000 to the campaign, which will provide 5,500 people with clean water. Retailer Urban Outfitters is selling a custom Haiti relief T-shirt, designed by eco-brand Apolis Activism, to fund clean water for at least 1,500 people. This week, South by Southwest festival-goers have already donated thousands of dollars through various new mobile giving platforms.

The following is a video that introduces this new campaign:

Here are some ways you can participate in this campaign:

• Visit www.charitywater.org/unshaken and give towards this campaign and invite others to do likewise.
• Use Twitter to spread the word. Here are a few things you might say:
  • The #unshaken video from @charitywater came out today. Haiti needs water for years to come. http://www.charitywater.org/unshaken
  • Best way to celebrate #WWD? Help @charitywater fund sustainable water projects in Haiti. #unshaken http://www.charitywater.org/unshaken
  • Today is World Water Day – see what my friends at @charitywater are up to today:  http://www.charitywater.org/unshaken
• Post a link to the campaign on your Facebook page.
• If you blog, consider writing a post similar to this one to help spread the word.
• If you are connected to businesses or organizations that can help, introduce them to charity: water.

Let’s make this year’s World Water Day truly memorable and life-changing to those in Haiti.

This post is tagged Charity, Charity Water, Clean Water, Compassion, Haiti, Justice, Relief, Water